<span class="art_sum">The <a class="text2link" href="http://chargers.realfootball365.com/">San Diego Chargers</a> organization is working at a hectic pace this offseason as the front office tries to get all of its coaches and players in place for the 2006 campaign. Some of the important offseason signings so far have been quarterbacks coach John Ramsdell, offensive line coach John Henry, assistant offensive line coach Hal Hunter, safety Clinton Hart, backup wide receiver Kassim Osgood, and linebacker Carlos Polk. In addition, the Chargers have submitted a long-term contract offer to Drew Brees' agent for review and have announced a five-year deal with defensive end Jacques Cesaire.</span>

In mid-January, Brees was quoted as saying that the Chargers wanted to give him a long-term deal despite the fact that he was just about to go into surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right shoulder and despite the fact that former first round draft pick Philip Rivers was making waves about not getting any playing time. At that time, Chargers' General Manager A.J. Smith confirmed that the team was inclined to sign Brees for the long-term, but didn't elaborate on the situation.

Now the Chargers' first offer is on the table. Of course, the details of the contract have not been made public and Brees' agent has not commented on it as of yet. What is known is that the two sides have until February 23 to come to an agreement. Otherwise, Brees will have to be designated as either a franchise player or a transition player. If he gets the franchise tag, which is what he played under last year, he would receive a one-year contract with a guaranteed salary that must be at least 20 percent higher than his 2005 salary. If he is designated as a transition player, the <a class="text2link" href="http://chargers.realfootball365.com/">San Diego Chargers</a> would retain the right to match any team's offer or receive compensation in the form of two first-round draft picks if Brees signs with another organization.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding Brees' rehab progress, most analysts expect the Chargers to go with the transition player label if no deal is struck before the deadline. As a transition player, Brees would have to make the Opening Day roster in order to receive his salary.

While Brees weighs the Chargers' offer, Smith will continue to try to get as many other players signed and settled in as possible. He succeeded in reaching a long-term agreement with Cesaire, a 3-year veteran who came to the Chargers as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Connecticut State. Cesaire has been a steady player on defense and is one of the Chargers' best weapons against the run. He saw action in all 16 games last year, and started in four of them. Cesaire was credited with 25 tackles and one sack, bringing his career totals to 52 and 1.5.

Cesaire will likely enter training camp third on the depth chart behind Luis Castillo and Igor Olshansky, but will be looking to work his way into a starting job at some point during the season.